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Bachinski’s 7 RBI power Monessen to semifinals

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McMURRAY – Kelsey Bachinski led the way as Monessen scored early and often in a 19-3 WPIAL Class A quarterfinal win over third-seeded and Section 1-A champion Sewickley Academy Thursday at Peterswood Park.

Bachinski, a senior third baseman went 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, a sacrifice fly, and a career-high seven RBIs to pace the efficient Monessen (15-5) offense.

The Greyhounds are headed back to the semifinals for the second straight year and second time in school history.

“It makes me feel pretty good that I was able to help out my team as much I could to help the team make the semifinals again,” said the soft-spoken Bachinski. “To have the team back in the semis for a second time means the world to me.”

Monessen coach Bo Teets liked his team’s offense as eight of nine starters had a hit.

“Kelsey came through big today and is playing well,” Teets said. “A lot of our girls are playing their best ball right now, and if you are going to get thot with the bat there is no time like the playoffs.”

How proficient were the Greyhounds at the plate?

Nineteen of the 24 batters who reached base scored.

Mattie Telegraphis had a double, two singles, and four RBI, and Maddie Guzzie had a single, double, and two RBI.

Winning pitcher Dana Vatakis added an RBI double in the first inning, when Monessen grabbed a 4-0 lead, but Sewickley Academy walked her in each of her last four plate appearances.

After a rocky first inning for Vatakis, when she gave up three runs with three walks and a hit batsman, she was in control the rest of the way. Sewicley Academy (13-3) had only two hits after the first inning.

“I think Dana was still amped up from the win (Wednesday),” Teets said. “But once we had the delay, Dana calmed down and so did everyone else.”

There was a 31-minute rain delay in the top of the second inning.

Monessen tacked on five runs in the second around the delay. The key was a two-run double by Telegraphis. She added an RBI single in the third and another in the fourth inning, when Monessen scored five more runs.

The big hit of the fourth was a two-run double by Guzzie, and Bachinski had a basses-loaded double in the sixth to clear the bases and close the scoring.

Habeck (single, double) joined Bachinski, Telegraphis and Guzzie with multiple hitsfor Monessen. Vatakis and Tori Cooper each doubled.

Monessen will play Section 2 foe Carmichaels for the third time with the winner advancing to face West Greene or Leechburg in the finals. The semifinals loser will play a third-place game for a PIAA playoff berth.

Monessen, Carmichaels and West Greene are all from Section 2.

“Coming into the season, our staff talked about how our section had a chance to do that,” Teets said. “We knew how talented our section was.”

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